Alcon receives FDA approval for AcrySof intraocular lenses

Alcon, a division of Novartis, has received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for its AcrySof IQ ReSTOR +2.5 Multifocal Toric intraocular lens (IOL) with ActiveFocus optical design. The product was made for patients with an astigmatism and presbyopia who want to treat them both at the same time with cataract surgery.

“Presbyopic cataract patients with astigmatism have had limited options in the past,” Sergio Duplan, Alcon's North America region president, said. “Alcon’s ACTIVEFOCUS toric IOL is a breakthrough for these patients, correcting astigmatism and allowing them to achieve uncompromised distance vision with an increased range of vision at the same time.”

The company noted that the ActiveFocus toric IOL was made for stability; with them, the AcrySof lenses are 2.5 times less likely to rotate than lenses from competitors. According to Alcon, AcrySof is the market leader for surgeons specializing in cataracts surgeries.

“The ACTIVEFOCUS toric IOL is the marriage of the design features of my two go-to IOLs for patients wanting outstanding distance vision and less dependence on glasses after cataract surgery,” Dr. Bret Fisher, medical director with the Eye Center of North Florida, said. “By combining the unique optical properties of the ACTIVEFOCUS design with the unparalleled rotational stability of the AcrySof IQ toric platform, I can now offer a range of vision to more patients.”